On Thursday, 21 October family doctors in County Wicklow and other areas received a letter from the master of the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street. The doctors were informed that:
Obstetric activity levels in the National Maternity Hospital peak in the months of May through to September on an annual basis. The increase in activity is often coupled with a reduced staff complement. In order to address this, it has been decided to limit the number of obstetric patients booking for delivery in their peak months to ensure continuing prioritisation of patient care.
The letter advised a new booking system would be put in place applying to all mothers. It went on to state that once the quota is reached the patient would be informed the hospital is booked out and that a cap would be placed on the months of June, July, August and September 2005. The letter went on to warn that "Unbooked emergency obstetric patients who present to the hospital will be seen, however, this does not guarantee a booking." It is clear that Government neglect, coupled with a shortage of staff, has led to this unprecedented and unacceptable decision to cap the number of births at Holles Street, a hospital that has prided itself on having an open door policy.
We have reached a new low in health care when we are being faced with what is an impossibility, that is, a waiting list for the delivery of babies. It is vital that the Government addresses the issue immediately to ensure the care and safety of mothers-to-be and their babies are not put at risk as they will be if this directive is implemented. The need to provide sufficient midwives must be met and we need to hear from the Minister that it will be. Time and resources are available having regard to the timeframe given by the hospital and the extraordinary Exchequer returns published this week. The Government introduced a constitutional amendment on Irish citizenship at the last local elections, which, according to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was intended to relieve pressure on the maternity hospitals. The people voted accordingly, the Government got its way yet the pressure on this maternity hospital is worse rather than better. As far as my constituents in County Wicklow are concerned they were given an undertaking that when the maternity unit in St. Columkille's Hospital in Loughlinstown was closed down there would be there would be guaranteed access to Holles Street maternity hospital. Women from Ringsend down to south Wicklow rightly expect to be able to access this hospital. There is no other maternity hospital in the East Coast Area Health Board area. It is disgraceful that they should lose such security in this new arrangement. Surely, at the very least, women in the catchment area must be given priority as they have nowhere else to go.
The Hanly report gives similar assurances with regard to accident and emergency services but unless the crisis at Holles Street hospital is resolved we will know for certain that such promises are worthless. I urge the Minister to address the issues raised by the hospital and to ensure the safety of pregnant women and their babies. Generations of women in County Wicklow have enjoyed the protection of the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street. It is unconscionable that women in the 21st century should be denied it.